ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia and Germany are moving to deepen their strategic partnership as both countries seek to expand trade, investment, green industrial development, and workforce cooperation amid growing global economic uncertainty.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting between Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, and a German business delegation led by Florian Hahn, Minister of State at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, in Jakarta on Monday, June 15, 2026.
The meeting, held as part of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s state visit to Indonesia, underscored the growing importance of economic ties between Southeast Asia’s largest economy and Europe’s leading industrial power.
Among the key issues discussed was the acceleration of the Indonesia–European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), a landmark trade pact expected to significantly expand market access and investment flows between Indonesia and the European Union.
“One of the most important priorities this year is the ratification of the IEU-CEPA,” Airlangga said.
Hahn expressed Germany’s full support for the agreement and highlighted Indonesia’s increasing attractiveness as an investment destination for German companies, particularly in renewable energy, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and other strategic industries.
“Indonesia is an outstanding partner. We are ready to share expertise, innovation, and technology to create tangible investments, including potential collaboration with Danantara in the future,” Hahn said.
Once implemented, the IEU-CEPA is expected to eliminate tariffs on more than 98 percent of traded products, creating new opportunities for Indonesian exports while encouraging greater European and German investment in the country.
The two sides also discussed strengthening cooperation through the Joint Economic and Investment Committee (JEIC), which is scheduled to convene in Jakarta in September 2026 to advance strategic economic initiatives and investment projects.
German business leaders additionally expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation in vocational education, workforce development, and skills exchange programs.
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Chairman Anindya Bakrie said Germany’s expertise in developing highly skilled workers could provide significant support for Indonesia’s industrialization agenda and long-term economic transformation.
In a lighter moment, Airlangga invited members of the German delegation to sing “O Ulate,” a traditional folk song from Indonesia’s Maluku Islands, symbolizing friendship, cultural connection, and hopes for stronger cooperation in the future.
Closing the meeting, Airlangga emphasized that Indonesia and Germany share a common vision of building a stronger, future-oriented partnership focused on sustainable growth.
Beyond increasing trade and investment, the collaboration is expected to accelerate green industrial transformation, technology transfer, and the development of high-value industries in Indonesia.
As both nations seek to navigate an increasingly complex global economic landscape, the expanding Indonesia–Germany partnership is emerging as a key pillar of long-term economic cooperation between Asia and Europe. (AT Network)
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